They Are Mostly Malays, With A Sprinkling Of Alfuros From
Gilolo, And Papuans From Guebe Or Waigiou.
One afternoon we stayed at Makian; many of the men went on shore,
and a great deal of plantains, bananas, and other fruits were
brought on board.
We then went on a little way, and in the
evening anchored again. When going to bed for the night, I put
out my candle, there being still a glimmering lamp burning, and,
missing my handkerchief, thought I saw it on a box which formed
one side of my bed, and put out my hand to take it. I quickly
drew back on feeling something cool and very smooth, which moved
as I touched it. "Bring the light, quick," I cried; "here's a
snake." And there he was, sure enough, nicely coiled up, with his
head just raised to inquire who had disturbed him. It was mow
necessary to catch or kill him neatly, or he would escape among
the piles of miscellaneous luggage, and we should hardly sleep
comfortably. One of the ex-convicts volunteered to catch him with
his hand wrapped up in a cloth, but from the way he went about it
I saw he was nervous and would let the thing go, so I would mot
allow him to make the attempt. I them got a chopping-knife, and
carefully moving my insect nets, which hung just over the snake
and prevented me getting a free blow, I cut him quietly across
the back, holding him down while my boy with another knife
crushed his head.
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